Mated to the Warrior Beast

Skhal had cupped the back of her head and held her to him so tightly, for a long time she was simply lost-her heart thrumming, and body more alive than she had ever felt. For a moment they just sank into each other, breathing each other’s breath and resting in the relief of finally being close.

The pull to be near him didn’t ease with his touch, though her entire being celebrated it. Instead, her blood went up in flames as he growled in his throat and kissed her, his tongue stroked hers-teasing, but insistent.

The way her belly twisted with glorious heat, for a moment she wondered if perhaps they wouldn’t wait after all. If the urge to complete the bond was too strong.

She’d heard of such things, but never understood. Not really.

She was a wolf of careful thought and discipline. Usually. But she’d known her mate for less than twenty-four hours and he was turning her back into a flighty adolescent.

Letting her hands slide up his back to his hair, she pulled herself into him, into his kiss, and her belly clenched when his arm around her lower back tightened, pressing her hips against his.

But with a tiny whine, and several small, short kisses, he finally raised his head to look at her, admiration and relief blowing away the clouds that had been in his eyes when she arrived.

“I’m early, how did you know?” she whispered, holding his face, a ridiculous smile pulling her cheeks wide.

.....

“I didn’t,” he admitted gruffly, his eyes sparkling. “But I couldn’t stay away. It was a risk, but they know I’m working to get Zev free, so... no one questioned me.”

They smiled at each other. He began to descend on her again, but Jayah caught him, her guilt for ignoring her purpose pressing her to take care and to make this time count for the others involved, not just themselves.

“Wait,” she said breathlessly.

Skhal hesitated, arching one eyebrow as if she might be playing a game with him.

Jayah grinned. “I can’t just come here to... to forget about... everyone else,” she said, flustered. Much as she might want to. “Skhal, things are reaching a limit. We have to do something.”

Skhal groaned and finally, slowly, reluctantly released her, though he kept one of her hands as he straightened and she found her feet without his support.

“I know,” he said. “I have a plan.”

Jayah nodding, urging him to share it with her. But his face was pained. “What is it?” she asked quietly.

Skhal shook his head, then put a calloused palm to her face. “I will tell you,” he murmured, searching her gaze. “But first I have to say that this has been the hardest day of my life, separated from you, not knowing if you were found out or... Jayah, the pull to be here was so strong it pained me. And now you’re here. I know our people are at odds, but... it isn’t wrong for us to seek each other. It’s a part of the Creator’s purpose.”

Her breath quickened to match her suddenly racing heart. “I know. You’re right.”

His eyes never left hers. “Finding you... knowing you... That is mind-boggling to me, Jayah. I want... I want nothing more than to make a home with you, to bring you the hunt and to... to give myself.”

“Me too,” she breathed.

He nodded. “It’s the way it should be. I’ve never understood the mates who didn’t choose each other every day-whose eyes dropped or hearts grew cold. I promise you, Jayah. There will never be another wolf alive that will light my heart the way you do.”

Jayah’s breath caught and she had to swallow a tiny sob. “I’ve been so distracted today, thinking about you and... and dreaming. Even in my sleep I wanted to be near you.”

Skhal nodded again and stepped right up so their stomachs brushed, though he was head and shoulders taller than her. Sliding his fingers into her hair he stared down at her, hope and light so intense in his gaze that she barely breathed.

“I wouldn’t steal you, Jayah. I wouldn’t... take you thoughtlessly. But... please... I need you.”

Jayah bit her lip and nodded, letting her hands tighten on his thick biceps. “Me too. I only... I already fear how hard it will be to leave you,” she whispered. “Leaving last night felt like tearing myself in half. And now... if we complete the bond, Skhal... I fear I’ll lose everything in my head but you.”

He gave a slow, delicious smile then, his eyes twinkling. “Well, I am very, very pleased to hear that I’m not the only one who fears the loss of all honor and strength in the face of... you.”

Nervous, but excited, Jayah let her hand play across his chest. She tore her gaze from his and watched her hand play across the broad planes of his pecs, trailing her fingers along his collarbones.

“We need a plan. A very short plan, please. Because there’s a much more practical reason that we can’t complete our bond yet.” Her voice went serious and Skhal frowned. Jayah plowed on. “If we take the Anima bond, our scents will entwine,” she whispered. “It may take hours for my friends to notice because they won’t be looking for it, but the first time one of them observes... they’ll know-and they’ll know it’s an unfamiliar scent. So we can’t. Yet. But I’m praying... I’m praying that you can see a way clear so that we can make this happen-our people, and our bond. And quickly.”

Skhal sighed heavily. He didn’t let her go, but he nodded. “Very well,” he said finally, his voice low and husky. “You’re right, of course. My mate is wise.” She could hear the disappointment in him, but she was glad he didn’t let her go. “I’ll tell you what I’ve been thinking and you can... you can tell me how we might achieve it.”

They didn’t move apart as he began to speak. Jayah’s hands tightened on him both in hope and in fear. But before he was done, she was nodding.

Her mate was strong. Insightful. And he saw the way through this.

But they would need the Creator’s own luck to navigate it without those in power taking each other’s throats...